Refrigeration



Dec. 5, 1933.

5. E. LINK REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 8, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jwum Dec.5, 1933. .s. E. LINK 1,937,705

REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 8. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jwumtou Dec. 5, 1933.v s. E. LINK REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 8. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 EW-fPatented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to refrigeration and it is an object of theinvention to provide a process and equipment of this character whereinrefrigeration is maintained within the limits of the 5 maximum andminimum temperatures obtainable by the use of carbon-dioxide ice.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a process and equipmentof this kind which can be readily employed for household purposes,commercial purposes, in connection with truck bodies, refrigeratorbodies, and other storage rooms or containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide r a process and equipmentof this kind which operates to provide such conditions as regardshumidity within the refrigerating chamber or container that as aconsequence foods placed in such chamber or container will not dry out.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a refrigeratingequipment as a unit and of a type suitable for containing carbon-dioxideice, the unit to be built of a size suitable to the type or character ofbox, chamber or the like to be refrigerated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an equipment of thiskind wherein the unit is composed of two containers, one Within theother, and providing a circulation space between the containers,together with coils arranged within the space between the containersthrough which passes the carbon-dioxide gas outflowing from the innercontainer, said coils being so arranged that the carbon-dioxide gaspassing 'therethrough absorbs the maximum amount of heat from the airpassing over the coils and through the intervening space of the unit sothat the temperature of the escaping carbondioxide gas is maintainedvery close to the refrigerator temperature.

A still further object of the invention is to provide equipment of thiskind wherein the desired circulation of air within the box, chamber,

container or the like is maintained without use of a fan or othermechanical means and wherein the ceiling of said chamber, box, containeror the like is arched to facilitate the maintenance of the desired aircirculation.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improvedequipment whereby certain important advantages are attained and thedevice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better -understood, I will nowproceed to describe the.

same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a refrigerator embodying myinvention, certain of the doors of the refrigerating box being omitted;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view with portions brokenaway of the upper portion of the refrigerator as illustrated in Fig-'Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the carhon-dioxide box as hereincomprised unapplied;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through the box asillustrated in Figure 3 and substantially on the line 4-4 f Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 ofFigure 4. 7

As herein disclosed, R denotes a refrigerator box of a type especiallydesigned for household use and which is divided by a vertically disposedpartition 1 into said-compartments adjacent the top and bottom thereofand at a point substantially midway being in communication with eachother through the suitably provided openings or recesses 2 in thepartition 1.

The compartments A and B are sub-divided in a well known manner by thehorizontally disposed partitions or shelves 3. These partitions orshelves 3 are of a preferred type so that desired circulation of air maybe had within the box R and which circulation is materially facilitatedby having the ceiling wall 4 of the box arched from side to side.

As is believed to be obvious the forward access to the compartments Aand B is had through suitably positioned openings in the front wallthereof and which openings are adapted to be closed in aponvention'almanner by doors.

The upper partition or shelf 3 within the compartment A is adapted tosupport a refrigerating unit U. This unit U comprises an outer box X andan inner box Y, the box Y being supported within the box X in a mannerto provide an intervening air space 5. The side and top walls of theouter box X are of a desired insulation type while the bottom wall 6 isprovided with a,

relatively large central opening 7 affording communication with theportion of the chamber A below the applied unit U.

. The top wall 8 of the unit U is provided with a relatively largeopening 9 defined by a laterally facing hood or duct 10 disposed abovethe top wall 8 and with its open face disposed toward the chamber B.This hood or duct 10 together with the arched culation of the air withinthe box R when of course the front openings are closed.

Coa'cting with the open or entrance face of the hood or duct 10 is adamper or valve 11 herein two compartments A and B,

ceiling 4 assure an eifective cir- 1 disclosed or a butterfly type, anda supporting trunnion 12 of which carrying a crank 14 with which isoperatively connected the thermostat 15. The thermostat 15 may be of anytype pre-' ferred and is suitably mounted within the box R and providesmeans whereby the damper or valve 11 is caused to automatically open andclose in accordance with the temperature within the box R.

The inner box Y provides a chamber 16 in which is to be placed a supplyof carbon-dioxide ice and the gas created within said chamber 16 flowsout through the coil 17 in communication with the lower portion of thechamber 16, said coil being herein disclosed as positioned within theintervening space 5 at the opposite sides and to the rear of the box Y.The coil 17 is also formed to overlie the top wall 18 of the inner box Yand extending from this upper portion 17' of the coil into the secondcompartment B of the box R is a pipe line 19 formed to provide a secondcoil 20 disposed closely adjacent to the ceiling 4 above saidcompartment Band extending a desired distance down along the outer sidewall 21 of said compartment B. Thecoil 20 is continued by a carry-oilpipe 22 extending exteriorly of the box R to a suitable pointofdischarge, thus avoiding contamination of the food within the box R bythe carbon-dioxide gas.

Access within the chamber 16 is out through a front door 23 of aconventional type and the box Y below the bottom wall 24 thereof isprovided with compartments 25 to receive suitable cube trays or coolingpans.

As the carbon-dioxide ice evaporates the gas flows out through the coils17 and 17 and out' coil 20. The air circuthe outer through the pipe 19and lating within the box R passes through box X and around the innerbox Y, such circula--.

tion being under control of the damper or valve 11 through its action bythe thermostat 15. The C02 gas within that portion of the coil 20extending down along the outer side wall of the compartment B isobviously not quite so cold as at the start of its flow, which conditionpromotes the deposit of a relatively soft frost or snow upon the outersurface of this portion of said coil from which the air within saidcompartment is adapted to absorb moisture more readily than from thesolid icy deposits upon the colder portions of the coil, so that thereis maintained within' the refrigerator box R the proper humidity.

It is believed to be obvious that as the air circulates over the variouscoils the carbon-dioxide gas passing therethrough absorbs the maximumamount of heat from the air and that the placement of the coils is suchto maintain the temperature of the escaping carbon-dioxide gas veryclose to the desired refrigerator temperature. This has the advantageousresult of reducing the consumption of carbon-dioxide ice to a minimum.

Cubes, desserts and the like can be very quickly frozen within thecompartments 25 which are arranged immediately below the carbon-dioxideice chamber 16.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that anequipment constructed in accordance with my invention is particularlywell adapted for use by reason of the convenfence and facility withwhich it may be assembledand operated, and it will also be obvious thatmy invention is susceptible of some change and modification withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:-

1. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a receptacle, a box within thereceptacle, a second box supported within the first box with anintervening space between the boxes, said inner box constituting achamber for carbon-dioxide ice, a coil within the space between theboxes and in communication with the carbon-dioxide ice chamber, theupper and lower portions of the first box having openings to permitcirculation of air between the boxes and around the coil, said coilextending exteriorly of the first box and disposed down from above alonga side wall of the receptacle.

2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a receptacle, a box within thereceptacle, a second box supported within the first box with anintervening space between the boxes, said inner box constituting achamber for carbon-dioxide ice, a coil within the space and -lowerportions respectively, an inner box supported within the first box andproviding a carbon-dioxide ice chamber, said boxes being in spacedrelation to each other for providing an air-flow space therebetween andentirely surrounding said inner box, and a coil in commu-' nication withsaid inner box and arranged within the space intervening between the twoboxes, said coil also overlying the top wall of the inner box.

4. A refrigerating unit comprising a box having openings in its upperand lower portions, a hood associated with one of said openings, a valvecoacting with the hood, a second box supported within the first box withan intervening space between the boxes, said second box providing achamber for carbon-dioxide ice, and a coil in communication withtheinner box and arranged within the intervening space between. the boxes.

5. A refrigerating unit comprising abox having openings in its upper andlower portions, a hood associated with one of said openings, a valvecoacting with the .hood, a second box supported within the first boxwith an intervening space between the boxes, said second box providing achamber for carbon-dioxide ice, a coil in communication with theinnerbox and arranged within the intervening spacebetween the boxes, the hoodbeing at the upper portion of the inner box, and thermostatic means foroperating the valve.

